UNRWA condemns armed violence in Lebanon’s Ein El-Hilweh refugee camp, suspends services

services to Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) condemned on Friday the recent armed violence that gripped the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein El Hilweh in Lebanon.

UNRWA “strongly” condemned in a press statement the armed violence that has reportedly left two dead and at least five injured over the last three days and called for restraint.

The UN Relief and Works Agency of Palestine Refugees announced that due to armed violence and increased risks to civilian lives it has suspended all its operations in the camp and would continue to do so until further notice.

“Violent incidents in Ein el-Hilweh continue to shock and frighten camp residents,” said UNRWA spokesperson Christopher Gunnes in a statement. “They prevent children going to school and patients going to clinics; and they threaten the safety and security of civilians and their ability to access a range of services.”

According to the UNRWA statement, the violence has impacted the education and wellbeing of over 6,000 children attending nine UNRWA schools in the camp and forced two health centers serving the health needs of the Palestine refugee population in the Camp to temporarily close.

UNRWA said this is the fourth time in the past month that it has been forced to close its services due to security incidents. Closures have occurred on December 5, 7, 21 and 22.

“We again call on all those involved to respect the rule of law, the sanctity of human life and to ensure the protection of Palestine refugees, particularly of children,” the statement read.

UNRWA urged “all armed actors to respect the inviolability and neutrality of UNRWA premises in accordance with international law and to take all measures necessary to ensure the safety of UNRWA staff, students, Palestine refugees and installations.”

UNRWA pledged to continue to monitor developments and continue dialogue with all relevant actors to advocate for the safety and dignity of Palestine refugees living in Ein el-Hilweh and to bring an end to the violence.

source: WAFA